no eastern pipeline without first nations consent, says assembly of new brunswick chiefs
TRANSCRIPT
No Pipeline Without First Nations Consent, Says Assembly of New Brunswick Chiefs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2012
The Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick is publicly stating its position that no pipeline will cross traditional Wolastoqiyik and Mi’gmag territory without meeting specific criteria established by the First Nations.
The Assembly’s Mi’gmag and Wolastoqiyik co-chairs, Chief George Ginnish of Eel Ground First Nation and Chief Joanna Bernard of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation expressed the united opinion of the Assembly’s 14 First Nations’ Chiefs Tuesday evening.
Chief Joanna Bernard explains “the proposed pipeline crosses traditional territories that the Wolastoqiyik and our ancestors have inhabited for 12,000 years. Any environmental mishap could have devastating impacts on our People’s ability to protect, and fulfil our constitutionally guaranteed cultural activities, including our Aboriginal right to fish, hunt, gather, trap and practice our spirituality.”
Chief Bernard went on to state: “The Assembly is united in its position that in order to receive First Nations’ consent for any pipeline project the following three criteria must be met:
1. Ensure the full protection of the environment;2. Ensure the full protection of the ability to exercise Aboriginal and Treaty rights;3. If conditions 1 and 2 were met, then meaningful participation of First Nations’ in the management of any
pipeline and all benefits arising from it.
“The First Nations in New Brunswick retain Aboriginal Title to all lands, waters and resources in the Province. This was the nation-to-nation agreement our ancestors made with the British Crown; the spirit of which the Peace and Friendship Treaties were always meant to uphold” added Chief George Ginnish.
Chief Ginnish took the opportunity to “remind the federal and provincial governments, as well as any private concerns looking to develop natural resources in New Brunswick, that the duty to consult with the province’s First Nations’ is not optional; it is a constitutional requirement, and one that the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick intends to enforce through all available forums, including legal ones. “We will protect the Saint John River and the Bay of Fundy” concluded Chief Ginnish.
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Media Contact: Mike Girard | AFNCNB Communications Advisor(506)999-6431 | [email protected] | @ChiefsNBwww.facebook.com/ChiefsNB